A Big Day Out At Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Make the most out of your day seeing Moulin Rouge! The Musical in London, including restaurants, shopping and things to do near the theatre

Whilst we can’t promise that any day out in London will be quite as transportive as a trip to Paris’ Moulin Rouge, a well-planned schedule of activities before seeing Moulin Rouge! The Musical at the Piccadilly Theatre gives you the best of both worlds. The stage production based on the 2001 film is one of the most lavish, magical experiences the West End has to offer, as wildly entertaining as it is deeply romantic. To help you get the most out of your time in London before and after the show, we’ve compiled some of the best restaurants, bars and things to do in the area, as well as themed activities that will take you a little further afield. Here’s how to make a big day out of seeing Moulin Rouge! The Musical.

Things to do near Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Restaurants near Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Shopping near Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Bars and pubs near Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Tube stations and bus stops near Moulin Rouge! The Musical
On-theme activities for Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Things to do near Moulin Rouge! The Musical

The Piccadilly Theatre is in a vibrant part of London’s West End, with plenty to see and do in the area. Chinatown is around five minutes away on foot, boasting over 70 authentic East and Southeast Asian bars, restaurants, shops and cafes. It’s an exciting part of the city to explore, and you’ll always find somewhere to grab a quick dinner before the show.

About ten minutes away is Trafalgar Square, a great spot to take photos with the famous lions and admire the fountain and Nelson’s Column. Near to the Square you’ll also find the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery, a great nearby activity for wetter weather with a huge collection of art between them that spans centuries.

In-keeping with the club tradition of Moulin Rouge!, famous London comedy venue The Comedy Store is just five minutes from the theatre, hosting everything from new act nights to work-in-progress shows from big names. You can check their programme online to see what’s on during your visit.

Or, if you’re after something competitive, Clays Soho is only a minute away from the Piccadilly Theatre. Here you can try your hand at virtual clay shooting, challenge your friends and family, and enjoy great cocktails, all in a beautiful 1930s art deco building.

Restaurants near Moulin Rouge! The Musical

There’s no shortage of great eateries in the area around the Piccadilly Theatre – with a ton of popular chains nearby and Chinatown right next door, you’ll always find something great. Here are a few of our suggestions.

For a special occasion and an authentic touch, we suggest Brasserie Zedel. This Parisian brasserie in the heart of Piccadilly is only a minute from the theatre and is a housed in a beautiful art deco building. You’ll enjoy classic brasserie dishes and choucroute, often against a backdrop of live music. Bocca di Lupo is another great pick in the area, just two minutes from the theatre. They offer a set pre-theatre menu, as well as a constantly-changing wider menu that updates with each change in season, and contains a taste of each of the main twenty dialects of Italian cuisine.

For a fantastic Indian, Kriket is only a minute away, serving regional specialties, favourite dishes and fantastic sharing plates in a sleek, modern space with a theatre kitchen. Japanese restaurant Shoryu is also just a minute away and boasts the largest selection of sake, shochu and umeshu in the UK. Specialising Hakata tonkotsu ramen, their food is prepared with an authenticity rarely found outside Japan.

Just around the corner from the theatre is Dirty Bones, a NYC-inspired food and cocktail joint serving creative comfort foods and signature drinks and offering a Brooklyn dining experience half a world away. Three minutes away, Blacklock Soho is housed in what used to be a Soho brothel. This vibey basement restaurant serves up the perfect seared chop, in a style that pays respect to the history of British chop houses.

Shopping near Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Right next door to the Piccadilly Theatre you’ll find yourself in the heart of Soho, where you can explore everything from recognised brands and high-end stores to independent boutiques and bookshops. Oxford Street is a twelve-minute walk away, carrying all your favourite high street stores, whilst Covent Garden, also around twelve minutes away, offers beauty, lifestyle and designer stores along with big international brands.

Carnaby Street, only five minutes away, is a perfectly curated piece of shopping real estate, with flagship stores from some of your favourite brands as well as cosy cafes. A little over ten minutes away, you’ll find Neal’s Yard, an oasis in the middle of the theatre district. This colourful courtyard is home to some fantastic health and wellness brands and serves as a great place to take some photos.

Bars and pubs near Moulin Rouge! The Musical

There are plenty of great places for a drink near the Piccadilly Theatre, and most of our recommended restaurants can serve you something nice. The Queen’s Head, a snug Victorian pub very nearby, boasts an eclectic selection of ale, lager, stout, port and cider which is updated seasonally. If it’s a cosy drink you’re after, another great pick is Waxy’s Little Sister, in the same family as the famous Irish bar but with a much more relaxed atmosphere. Comfy sofas, open fires and award-winning Irish coffee is all just a five-minute walk away.

The Devonshire has been one of Soho’s most popular pubs since 1793, offering a classic London drinking experience. You’ll find a high-end restaurant upstairs, but downstairs the venue is try to its roots, serving homemade bar food and great pints. Two minutes away, Glasshouse Stores has even more history, with the site dating back to the 1730s. Things get a little less traditional in the evenings when they open their basement bar, but upstairs they’re known for their excellent cask beers and ales.

For the perfect cocktail, try 3’6 Bar at Fortnum & Mason and learn the historic secret behind the bar’s name. Just seven minutes from the theatre, this place has an intimate speakeasy feel and a fantastic cocktail menu, and also frequently hosts live music. For something more lively, Covent Garden Social Club is ten minutes from the theatre. You’ll find live music and comedy in their upstairs piano bar, whilst their riotous basement bar offers some of the best nightlife in the district.

Tube stations and bus stops near Moulin Rouge! The Musical

The Piccadilly Theatre stands three minutes from Piccadilly Circus tube station, which is served by the Bakerloo/Piccadilly line, but it’s also very possible to access the theatre via other lines with a slightly longer walk. The nearest train station is Charing Cross, which is 14 minutes on foot. Multiple bus routes also drop off and pick up near the theatre. It’s best to plan your route with TFL.

On-theme activities for Moulin Rouge! The Musical

The best theatrical companion to Moulin Rouge! is Cabaret, the immersive production now playing at the Kit Kat Club, formerly the Playhouse Theatre. Set in 1930s Berlin, it’s a darker look at the underground performance world, but still wholly entertaining, with a soundtrack that has captured audiences for decades. If the world of cabaret and burlesque peaks your interest, The London Cabaret Club is one of the best places in the city to watch both, with frequent events advertised on their site.

Part of the appeal of Moulin Rouge! is the lavish spectacle, and at the V&A Museum in South Kensington you can wonder through a whole history of design. Things get even more exciting when V&A East opens in spring 2026, designed as the new home of the costume collection.

For some French dining to put you in the Parisian spirit, try the celebrate Montparnasse Café, a gorgeous French café on Fleet Street. Or, if you want to immerse yourself in the jukebox world of Moulin Rouge! in a more hands-on way, karaoke is the perfect pre or post-show activity. At Lucky Voice Soho you’ll find an extensive song library and a great cocktail menu, making it the perfect place to see how your vocals match up to those of a Moulin Rouge performer.

Moulin Rouge! The Musical is currently playing at the Piccadilly Theatre – find tickets here